The Delaware County commissioners have officially thrown their support behind a major development project in Orange Township.

The commissioners on Monday voted 2-0 in favor of approving a resolution expressing support for a proposed Mount Carmel medical facility off of U.S. 23. Commissioner Ken O’Brien was absent.

The support, however, is contingent upon Orange Township creating a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement with the developer.

The county has negotiated a five-year, 50 percent tax abatement on the property as incentive to develop it. The abatement would be capped at $2 million.

Commissioner Gary Merrell said Orange Township Trustee Rob Quigley and Olentangy Local Schools Superintendent Wade Lucas are both in favor of the proposed development.

However, county officials previously expressed concern about Mount Carmel’s ability to apply for and receive a tax exemption due to its non-profit status.

But Merrell said his concerns were alleviated after discussing the matter with officials from Mount Carmel and the Colorado-based developer, which would continue to own the property.

The proposed location of the medical facility is just off the east side of U.S. 23 near Home Road. It will be equipped to handle emergency care and provide rehab and wellness services.

Mount Carmel is part of the Trinity Health System, the fourth largest Catholic healthcare system in the U.S. Mount Carmel currently operates four central Ohio hospitals and employs more than 8,000 people who serve more than 500,000 patients each year.

Dustin Ensinger can be reached at 740-413-0902 or on Twitter @EnsingerDG.

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